If you’ve been online at all in the last year, chances are you’ve seen a green lock next to the URL bar of some of your favorite websites. This is because those sites have implemented HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure). But what does it mean? Keep reading to find out!
What Is HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure?)
HTTPS is a communications protocol that encodes data using Transport Layer Security (TLS) or Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) before it is sent over the internet. This helps to ensure that the data remains private and cannot be intercepted by third parties.
HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. The Hypertext Transfer Protocol is the standard way that information is transmitted on the web. The “secure” part of HTTPS refers to the encryption that is used to keep data private as it travels between a user’s browser and a website’s server.
How Does HTTPS Work?
When you type in a URL, your browser sends a request to the server that is hosting the website you want to visit. Normally, this request would be sent in plain text, which means that it could be intercepted by third parties and read. However, when HTTPS is used, the request is first encrypted using TLS or SSL before it is sent over the internet.
The server then decrypts the request and processes it as usual. Once the server has received the request, it sends a response back to the browser. This response is also encrypted using TLS or SSL so that it cannot be intercepted and read by third parties.
Why Does HTTPS Matter?
HTTPS is important because it helps to keep data private and secure as it travels across the internet. Without HTTPS, anyone who intercepts the data would be able to read it. This could include sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, and personal details.
In addition to keeping data private, HTTPS also helps to ensure that the website you are visiting is the one that you think it is (it’s called authentication). When you type in a URL, your web browser checks to see if the site’s digital certificate is valid. If the certificate is not valid, you will see a warning message telling you that the site may not be safe to visit.
Valid certificates are important because they help to prevent “man-in-the-middle” attacks. These are attacks where someone intercepts the communication between your browser and a website’s server in order to steal your data or infect your computer with malware.
Why Does HTTPS Matter for Your SEO?
In addition to the security benefits, HTTPS also has SEO benefits. Google announced that they would be giving a ranking boost to websites that use HTTPS. This means that if your website uses HTTPS, you are more likely to rank higher in search results.
While the ranking boost is small, it is still an important factor to consider when optimizing your website for SEO. In addition, as more and more people become aware of the importance of security and privacy online, it is likely that the ranking boost for HTTPS will increase in the future.
How Can I Tell If a Website Is Using HTTPS?
If a website is using HTTPS, you will see a green lock icon (or gray, in Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox) next to the URL in your browser’s address bar. You may also see the word “Secure” next to the URL.
Some websites only use HTTPS for certain pages, such as login pages or pages where sensitive information is entered. In these cases, you will only see the padlock icon or the word “Secure” when you are on a page that is using HTTPS.
How Can You Implement HTTPS on Your Website?
If you want to implement HTTPS on your website, you will need to get an SSL/TLS certificate. SSL/TLS certificates can be purchased from a number of different companies. Once you have purchased a certificate, you will need to install it on your web server.
If you are using WordPress, there are a number of plugins that can help you to implement HTTPS on your website. These plugins will automatically generate the necessary configuration files and install the SSL certificate for you.
Once HTTPS has been enabled on your website, you will need to make sure that all of your pages are served over HTTPS. You can do this by redirecting all HTTP requests to HTTPS.
Soon There Will Be HTTPS Everywhere
The internet is moving towards a more secure future with HTTPS-only websites. In the coming years, it is likely that HTTPS will become the standard for all websites. If you don’t already have HTTPS enabled on your website, now is the time to do it. Not only will it help to keep your data safe, but it will also give you a ranking boost in Google and other search engines.
Everything You Should Know About TLS and SSL
TLS and SSL certificates are used to create a secure connection between a website and a web browser. They use encryption to prevent third parties from intercepting and reading the data that is being transmitted.
TLS and SSL certificates are important because they help to keep data private and secure as it travels across the internet. Without them, any eavesdropper who intercepts the data would be able to read it. This could include sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, and personal details.
In addition to keeping data private, TLS and SSL certificates also help to ensure that the website you are visiting is the one that you think it is. This is because the certificates contain information about the website’s identity, such as its domain name and company name.
If a website does not have a valid TLS or SSL certificate, your browser will show a warning message. You should not enter any sensitive information on these websites, as it could be intercepted by someone else.
How Much Does HTTPS Cost?
If you want to avoid the warning messages that are shown by web browsers, you will need to purchase a TLS or SSL certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). These certificates can cost anywhere from $50 to $500 per year.
It is also possible to generate your own TLS or SSL certificate for free using tools like Let’s Encrypt. However, these certificates are not as secure as ones that are purchased from a CA.
Should I Use HTTPS on My Website?
If you have a website that contains sensitive information, such as login details or credit card numbers, you should definitely use HTTPS. This will help to keep this information private and prevent someone from stealing it.
In addition, if you want to rank higher in search engines like Google, you should consider implementing HTTPS on your website. While the ranking boost is small, it is still an important factor to consider when optimizing your website for SEO. In addition, as more and more people become aware of the importance of security, HTTPS-only websites are likely to become more common, and people will not visit HTTP websites as often.